Influencers - Day 10
Day 10 - Friday August, 25
Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Highlight
This section of Chapter 7 is extremely difficult to understand, simply because we don’t know exactly what the situation is in Corinth that prompted this guidance. Scholars believe it could be that Corinthian fathers are wondering if they should arrange marriages for their daughters. Or perhaps it’s simply that people who are betrothed are wondering if they should put off marriage. We don’t know, so it creates an interpretive challenge that scholars are divided on. When this happens, it can be helpful to focus on the principles that Paul references (the things that apply regardless of time and culture).
One such thing in this section is Paul’s encouragement to avoid becoming overly concerned with worldly things since “the time is short…this world in its present form is passing away.” (v29;31) Here Paul uses a word that is difficult for our Western perspective - the word for ‘time’ he uses is ‘kairos.’ Our western mindset reads ‘time is short’ as meaning ‘Jesus is coming back any day now.’ However, the word ‘kairos’ isn’t a term that references chronological time. Instead, it’s more akin to “season” or “opportunity.” In other words, Paul isn’t trying to communicate that Jesus’ return is imminent. Rather, he is saying that in the timeline of God’s work of salvation, we are in the final era. There is only one event left to occur - Jesus’ second coming. So we should live our lives in readiness for that event, whether it is one day, century, or millennium away: we should live with our eyes on eternal things and not temporal ones, for we are “in the final season.”
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Highlight
This section of Chapter 7 is extremely difficult to understand, simply because we don’t know exactly what the situation is in Corinth that prompted this guidance. Scholars believe it could be that Corinthian fathers are wondering if they should arrange marriages for their daughters. Or perhaps it’s simply that people who are betrothed are wondering if they should put off marriage. We don’t know, so it creates an interpretive challenge that scholars are divided on. When this happens, it can be helpful to focus on the principles that Paul references (the things that apply regardless of time and culture).
One such thing in this section is Paul’s encouragement to avoid becoming overly concerned with worldly things since “the time is short…this world in its present form is passing away.” (v29;31) Here Paul uses a word that is difficult for our Western perspective - the word for ‘time’ he uses is ‘kairos.’ Our western mindset reads ‘time is short’ as meaning ‘Jesus is coming back any day now.’ However, the word ‘kairos’ isn’t a term that references chronological time. Instead, it’s more akin to “season” or “opportunity.” In other words, Paul isn’t trying to communicate that Jesus’ return is imminent. Rather, he is saying that in the timeline of God’s work of salvation, we are in the final era. There is only one event left to occur - Jesus’ second coming. So we should live our lives in readiness for that event, whether it is one day, century, or millennium away: we should live with our eyes on eternal things and not temporal ones, for we are “in the final season.”
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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